Blog 
Trust Litigation & Probate Litigation
- Six Steps for Proving Fraud When Contesting a California Will
- California Will Fraud: What Happens When Your Loved One Was Victimized
- San Diego Probate Lawyer: Shifting the Burden of Proof
- Where to Look for Trust Mistakes, by a San Diego Probate Attorney
- San Diego Probate Attorney Asks: Who’s the Boss?
Probate and Trust Administration
- What Remedies Are Available After California Trustee Theft?
- Riverside Trust Attorney: Trustee’s Obligations to Provide Notice
- San Diego Trust Lawyer: How to Obtain an Appointment as Administrator
- Riverside Trust Lawyer: Obtaining an Appointment as Executor
- Don’t Make These Trustee Mistakes, Says Riverside Probate Attorney
General
News
Tupac Coachella Image Raises California Estate Administration Issues...
Posted on 5/4/2012
California Lawsuit Against Executor of Famous Producer’s Estate Fails...
Posted on 4/13/2012
California Beneficiary Wins Award of Nearly 20 Million Against Trustee...
Posted on 4/3/2012
Whitney Houston Estate Administration “Straightforward”...
Posted on 3/26/2012
Singer Etta James Dies at 73; $1 Million Estate Possibly in Probate...
Posted on 2/4/2012
New 2012 Legislation AB 1305 Impacts California Probate...
Posted on 1/17/2012
Estate Planning and Incapacitating Chronic Illness in California...
Posted on 11/16/2011
California Raises Limit For Small Estates Procedure to $150,000...
Posted on 11/2/2011
The Simplified Procedure to Transfer Estates in California...
Posted on 11/1/2011
What Does A California Transfer Agent Do?...
Posted on 10/24/2011
Library
Probate and Trust Administration
- What to Do When a San Diego Trustee Steals from the Estate
- San Diego Trust Lawyer: Understanding the Role of the Administrator
- Riverside Trust Attorney: Ten Steps to for a Successor Trustee to Take
- Riverside Trust Lawyer Describes the Duties of an Executor
- Riverside Probate Attorney on Duress: Why Trusts Get Attacked, Part 2
Who Is the Probate Referee? From a California Probate Lawyer
Who the California Probate Referee Is and How They Are Assigned
California’s elected comptroller can appoint at least one probate referee for every county in the state. Currently, most counties have several probate referees. In order to be appointed a probate referee, candidates must pass a written exam and meet at least one of the following work or experience requirements:
- Attorney licensed in the state of California
- Public accountant certified in California for three or more years
- Several years of experience in appraisal and property valuation
Appointments cannot last more than four years. Most California probate judges assign probate referees on a rotating basis, matching each case with the next referee on their county’s list.
What the California Probate Referee Appraises
The California probate referee appraises the property of an estate in cases where probate is necessary as well as for trustees in the trust administration process. The referee gathers information about the estate from the executor, administrator, or trustee, oftentimes through their legal representation. Probate court requires that valued inventories of the decedent’s entire estate be submitted within four months of the opening of a case.
There are several types of property in an estate that need to be inventoried and appraised:
- Real estate
- Artwork
- Valuable collectibles
- Intellectual property
- Business-related property
- Promissory notes
A California probate referee is not authorized to appraise cash or cash-equivalent assets.
Are you an executor or administrator dealing with an estate that might need to go through the probate process? The California probate lawyers at The Grossman Law Firm offer San Diego probate, trust administration, will contests, and trust litigation services. Make an appointment for a free and confidential 30-minute consultation with one of our attorneys today by calling toll-free at 888-443-6590. Get in touch with us online through the quick contact form above.
Additionally, be sure to request your copies of Scott Grossman’s FREE book and DVD Probate a Will or Administer a Trust after the Death of a Loved One.
Free Consultation
Begin your case review by filling out the form below:
San Diego Office
525 B St
Suite 1500
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (760) 440-9847
Fax: (619) 764-4091
Toll Free: (888) 443-6590
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Riverside Office
6370 Magnolia Avenue
Suite 320
Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (951) 683-3704
Fax: (951) 683-3948
Toll Free: (888) 443-6590
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Temecula Office
43537 Ridge Park Drive
Suite 101
Temecula, CA 92590
Phone: (951) 461-8874
Fax: (951) 683-3948
Toll Free: (888) 443-6590
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Videos
Trust Litigation & Probate Litigation:
Obtaining a Copy of a Trust in San Diego
How To Get a Copy of a Trust in Riverside, CA
Probate and Trust Administration:
How Much Does Probate Cost in Temecula, California?
How Much Does Probate Cost in San Diego?
FAQs
Trust Litigation & Probate Litigation
- Do I have a right to see a copy of a California trust if I am a beneficiary?
- What do I do if my parent had a previously executed California Will, but I think someone changed it?
- The California trustee mismanaged the estate. What should I do?